On this day in:

1800 Chicken Marengo was supposedly created by Napoleon's Swiss chef to commemorate the occasion of Napoleon's victory over the Austrians in the Battle of Marengo on this day. (Marengo Trivia & Facts)

1811 Harriet Beecher Stowe was born. Sister of Catherine Beecher. Harriet was an American abolitionist and author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' (1852). She was also co-author with her sister Catherine of 'The American Woman's Home: Or, Principles Of Domestic Science; Being A Guide To The Formation And Maintenance Of Economical, Healthful, Beautiful, And Christian Homes' (1869).

1834 Cyrus Hall McCormick patented his reaping machine.

1854 Townend Glover was appointed the first U.S. federal entomologist, an “expert for collecting statistics and other information on seeds, fruits and insects of the United States.” (Why not Eat Insects?)

1887 Canada: The steamer SS Abyssinia arrived at Vancouver harbour with a cargo of Tea, passengers, and the first transpacific mail after a 14 day trip from Yokohama, Japan.

1972 The EPA banned DDT in the USA. DDT residue is still found in some foods grown in the U.S. in 2002.

1988Unusual uses for peanut butter sandwiches: In New Jersey, students in a school were kept in an extra 45 minutes by a six-foot black bear that had wandered into the playground. They kept it at bay by tossing out peanut butter sandwiches until the game warden arrived to take him away. (Peanut Butter Trivia & Facts)

1994 Henry Mancini died. Oscar winning music composer, he wrote many songs and film scores, including the score for 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.

2007 Colgate-Palmolive Co. warned that counterfeit toothpaste falsely packaged as "Colgate" has been found in four states, and may contain the poisonous chemical, Diethylene Glycol. The counterfeit toothpaste can be easily recognized because it is labeled as 'Manufactured in South Africa.'

2011 The Los Angeles Unified School District agreed to remove flavored milk (chocolate and strawberry) from its menus to help combat childhood obesity.